Frequently Asked Questions

LaunchBox is an accelerator programme for Trinity students. We offer each successful team:

· A structured programme with experts and thought leaders;

· Access to investors and mentors; on-campus co-working space and;

· The perfect collaborative environment to progress your idea and business.

LaunchBox Phase 1 is a term-time programme of support and expert workshops that will run in Hillary Term 2025. Applications are open for Phase 2 now.

LaunchBox Phase 2 is a summer residency programme that comes with access to mentorship, an incredible network, a community of other founders, and a free co-working space in the heart of Silicon Docks.

If you have an idea – even a kernel of an idea – you should apply to LaunchBox. With startups, with entrepreneurship, you never know where the next step will take you. But you do know where not taking the step will leave you.

With the help and support of LaunchBox, a programme that has run for over a decade now, you can see your idea become a reality.

LaunchBox is open to teams of 2-3 people who want to start a business or social enterprise. Bigger teams are sometimes accepted; we also accept solo founders into Phase 1, but we will support and encourage solo founders to sign on co-founders ahead of Phase 2.

Teams need to have a minimum of one current Trinity student to be eligible to apply. The rest of the team's make-up is entirely flexible.

Phase 1 closes on Tuesday 21 January 2025. It might not be too late to apply – email LaunchBox@tcd.ie

Solo founders can apply to Phase 1, but we will support and encourage solo founders to sign on as co-founders ahead of Phase 2.

Phase 1 will require 2 hours per week for 8 weeks, starting on Tuesday 28 January, and ending on Tuesday 18 March. For the most part, sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-7.30pm, although some sessions will be online, and some sessions (for example, Story-telling your Startup) will be a 1:1 with an industry expert and will be organised at a time that suits both your team and said expert. In-person sessions will take place in Portal, 1st floor of Trinity Business School.

All successful teams will be given the programme details once applications have closed.

Phase 2 will offer 12 weeks of co-working to teams, with some bespoke programme elements. These elements will be organised with input from the successful Phase 2 teams.

Applications are not currently open for Phase 2 but will open in March 2025. Priority may be given to the teams who went through Phase 1 of the programme.

Apply! Solo founders will be accepted into Phase 1, and we will then encourage and work with you to find a co-founder.

At present for 2025 there is no funding available for LaunchBox.

You do. We don’t take equity in our startups. We want to be advocates and give you advice based on your situation, not based on our ROI.

No, Phase 1 is a part-time programme designed to fit in around term-time commitments. Phase 2, the summer residency, will allow teams to work on their idea full-time but is flexible for those working part-time over the summer break.

Phase 1 will require 2 hours per week for 8 weeks, starting on Tuesday 28 January, and ending on Tuesday 18 March. For the most part, sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 5.30pm-7.30pm, although some sessions will be online, and some sessions (for example, Story-telling your Startup) will be a 1:1 with an industry expert and will be organised at a time that suits both your team and said expert. In-person sessions will take place in Portal, 1st floor Tof rinity Business School.

All successful teams will be given the programme details once applications have closed.

Contact the director of LaunchBox: Alison.Treacy@tcd.ie

You’ll be notified as to the success of your application as soon as possible.